Everton to follow Atletico Madrid with negotiations underway – Keith Wyness
Everton have just three games to play at their iconic Goodison Park home before moving into their new stadium for the 2025-26 campaign.
The Toffees’ new ground has cost around £750million and will hold 52,888 fans when it opens next season.
But Everton are not yet finished investing after The Friedkin Group (TFG) took control of the club late last year – with widespread reports claiming they have entered negotiations to buy Nelson Dock, which is next to their new home.
The Merseyside club have confirmed they are looking at redeveloping that land as part of a sports-led development.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has backed his old side to follow Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
Everton development will bank huge revenue for club, says Wyness
Atleti are building a state-of-the-art ‘Sports City’ to surround their Estadio Metropolitano stadium, which officially re-opened in 2017 after impressive redevelopment.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted Liverpool is an “exciting city which can do something great on the waterfront”.
He claimed any development will only bank Everton further revenue – allowing them to spend more on players.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “This is termed as sports-led regeneration.
“The biggest example of this right now is probably Atletico Madrid. They bought 220 acres around their new stadium and are building a 20,000-seat concert arena, stadium for their youth and women’s side, Topgolf, wave pool, university – all sorts of attractions.
“The area Everton are talking about, Nelson Dock, is around seven acres – but the whole of North Liverpool has been designated as a new town area.
“200 acres will be available for development, but it’s a case of masterplanning and getting it right.
“The proximity to the city centre could mean something similar to Atletico could be done.
| Ranking | Stadium | Capacity |
| 1 | Old Trafford (Man United) | 74,197 |
| 2 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Tottenham) | 62,850 |
| 3 | London Stadium (West Ham) | 62,500 |
| 4 | Anfield (Liverpool) | 61,276 |
| 5 | Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) | 60,704 |
| 6 | Etihad Stadium (Man City) | 52,900 |
| 7 | Everton Stadium – when open (Everton) | 52,888 |
“If there was an innovative tram scheme, Everton could do it.
“The ferries across the Mersey and Wirral could arrive all along the coastline.
“Liverpool is an exciting city which can do something great on the waterfront.
“I think that’s what could be done for Everton. It’s going to be bigger than this seven-acre proposal.
“This can make revenue for the club outside just the football stadium.”
Everton to sign Ipswich star Delap?
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on Thursday (10 April) Everton will struggle to compete with Man United and Chelsea for the signature of Ipswich Town star Liam Delap.
Delap has attracted interest across the Premier League after his debut season in the top flight with Kieran McKenna’s side.
He has hit 12 goals and notched two assists in 33 appearances across all competitions this term.
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